(NEPAD) - Equipping and empowering young people with requisite skills will be a game changer for Africa’s economic progress, social development and well-being. This aspiration is espoused in the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision for “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena.”

The continental strategy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) aims to bring a paradigm shift in the sector. The strategy positions TVET as a critical driver of skills development to be ready for Africa’s industralisation. Furthermore, the strategy aims to build a vibrant skills labour force that can engage in employment and expand opportunities for a generation of self-employed skilled young people, to achieve inclusive socio-economic growth. The transformation will require the collective efforts of policymakers, practitioners, private sector and ultimately the youth themselves to co-create TVET pathways that ensure that the TVET sector delivers competent workers and entrepreneurs able to contribute towards the 4th Industrial Revolution.

The African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), is organising a Leadership Dialogue to bring together Permanent Secretaries (Director Generals) in government ministries to exchange learning and ideas to improve delivery TVET in the countries. The Dialogue will allow for learning from stakeholders in Ecuador and India and African best practices.

To support the dialogue, experts are invited from the Regional Economic Communities, AUDA-NEPAD SEFY projects and thematic experts from public and private sector institutions and development partners. Participants will include representatives and policymakers from Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Togo, Tunisia, and South Africa; the African Union Commission, AUDA-NEPAD.

Journalists are invited to cover the first day of the meeting : Wednesday 19 June 2019 - Indaba Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa (08h00 to 17h30).